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Be Courageous

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Mar 1, 1906

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 9.

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Be Courageous

By H. W. Cottrell

H. W. COTTRELL
The Lord, speaking by the mouth of the prophet Isaiah of his “only begotten Son” and of his work on earth, when his divinity was to be clothed upon with our sinful flesh, said, “Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth. . . . He shall not fail nor be discouraged.” Paul said, “When he bringeth in the first-begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. . . . But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever.” Heb. 1: 6, 8. “He was God in human flesh, and he could not but work the works of God. Unbelief, prejudice, and jealousy beat about him, and if his humanity had not been united with divinity, he would have failed and become discouraged. At times his divinity flashed through humanity, and clearly he stood forth as the Son of God, his veil of flesh too transparent to hide his majesty. But the men who claimed to be the expositors of the prophecies refused to believe that he was the Christ. Satan had control of their minds, and they utterly refused to acknowledge the divinity of Jesus of Nazareth.”—Mrs. E. G. White, “Lessons from the Christ-Life,” Review and Herald, March 26, 1901.
We are now facing this very critical period in our history, that of denying the divinity of Christ Jesus, who bought us. Our Saviour was not to be discouraged, and thank the Lord, he never was discouraged in his undertaking for us.
He was “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” His mission to earth was to carry out to completion, in our sight and presence, the gift of his life which was tendered from the foundation of the world. “Before the world was made, it was arranged that the divinity of Christ should be enshrouded in humanity.” Thus he introduced to our vision the gift of that eternal life which can be received only through faith in Christ, the divine Son.
The pledge of heaven is given that whosoever is willing may receive “eternal life.” Praise his name for the gift of such life to poor, dying humanity.
He wrestled with the discouragement of discouragements in taking our sinful flesh with all its susceptibilities to sin, and conquered it. He wept over the sinful condition of Jerusalem, but was not discouraged. In his human nature he was tempted in all points as we are, but sinned not. He met the foe at every turn, and conquered him. He unfurled his banner of victory over the tendencies to yield to temptation or discouragement, and it is still waving aloft over the heads of his children. Do not become faint hearted or a sentimentalist, my brother, “at such a time as this,” and thus besmirch the royal banner under which we should bravely stand.
The Lord wants Calebs and Joshuas in experience to-day. Christ our commander knew the strength of the wiley foe he came to earth to conquer for us in sinful flesh, for he had met and conquered him in heaven. Therefore “we are more than conquerors through him.”
In him we should face rejoicingly a frowning world; for him endure misrepresentation in word or act, in the home, church, or world, and rejoice despite it; through him be the master, each in his own life, of the passions of appetite, temper, lust, and pride; in a word, permit him to subdue self in our flesh, though the conflict be fierce and the trial sore, and rejoice, knowing that our foe is vanquished, and that we are victors in Christ.
Each soul should exercise the courage of an educated conscience—Christian conviction. Stand true to the message that has made us a people, if need be alone with him.
Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” “Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not.”
Oakland, Cal.